Monthly Archives: August 2012

When you are the host of the neighborhood barbeque it is always best to be prepared and that usually means over buying. However, that doesn’t mean you have to throw out the leftover hamburger and hot dog buns. Next time you have leftover buns consider using them in these creative ways.

Mini Pizzas

This one is for your leftover hamburger buns. These personal sized pizzas are simple and fun! All you have to do is add a little Western Family pizza sauce, a little cheese and your favorite toppings. Put them on a baking sheet and into a 400 degree oven for about 10 minutes.

Bread Pudding

You can use your leftover hamburger and hot dog buns in your favorite bread pudding recipe. Substitute the bread you usually use for the same amount of leftover buns.

French Toast

Bet you have never thought of this one! Substitute regular bread with leftover hamburger and hot dog buns to make delicious French Toast. Make it fun for the kids by cutting the already cooked pieces into strips and let them dunk the pieces in their syrup!

Garlic Bread

Lay your leftover buns on a baking sheet and turn the oven on broil. Spread butter on the upward facing side of the bun, sprinkle some cheese and garlic salt on top. Put them in the oven for about five minutes. Keep an eye on them though the cheese will melt really quickly and the buns will become slightly toasted!

Croutons

How about making an easy soup or salad topper with your leftover buns? Cut your leftovers into bite-sized square pieces. Lightly spray them with Western Family cooking spray and sprinkle with garlic salt. Place the pieces on a baking sheet and into the oven set to broil for about five minutes.

Again, keep your eye on these so they don’t become too crispy.

Bruschetta

We love this idea for using up your leftover buns because it allows you to also use your leftover tomatoes! This is a great appetizer that looks fancy but is super easy to make. Combine in a large bowl six chopped tomatoes, two cloves of minced garlic, one tbsp. Western Family Olive Oil, one tsp. balsamic vinegar and six-eight chopped basil leaves. Cut your leftover buns into more manageable bit sized pieces and toast them under the broiler. Scoop the tomato mixture onto the bread bites and salt and pepper to taste! We hope you enjoy!

Stuffing

What is better than homemade stuffing? Making homemade stuffing with your leftover buns! Substitute the bread you usually use for your left over buns and WAH LAH!

Sloppy Joes

An easy menu item where buns are a key ingredient is Sloppy Joes. So a day or two after your barbeque brown up some ground meat and add a can of Western Family Sloppy Joe mix and a squirt or two of ketchup. Serve the meat mixture between two buns! Such a quick and easy meal your whole family will love!

Bread Crumbs

Have your left over buns gotten stale? No worries, you can make bread crumbs in a flash. Toast your leftover buns in the oven or the toaster and combine in a food processor with your favorite salts and seasonings. Give them a spin for about ten seconds and store them in an air tight container until you are ready to use them. They work great for meatballs, breaded chicken or pork, or use them to top a casserole or macaroni and cheese.

And if all else fails, take the leftover buns to the nearest pond and feed the ducks! Quack, quack!

We hope you can use these tips and put your leftover buns to good use!

What is your response when the clerk at Macey’s says, “paper or plastic?” Well, truthfully there are pros and cons to each. So next time you get asked that question, consider giving the truly eco-friendly response by saying, “Neither.” Macey’s now sells high-quality reusable shopping bags that can be purchased at the register for as little as $1.00. Even though it costs a little up front to get started, it is definitely the most eco-friendly purchase you can make. Here are some facts about paper and plastic bags that may change the way you bag your groceries:

Plastic bags

Every year thousands of marine mammals mistake the floating bags for food

Plastic bags that get buried in landfills may take up to 1,000 years to break down, and in the process they separate into smaller and smaller toxic particles that contaminate soil and water

The production of plastic bags consume millions of gallons of oil

Plastic bags aren’t biodegradable

Paper bags

It’s mid-afternoon and your stomach is telling you it’s time for a snack. Instead of reaching for that candy bar, why not try this healthy, energy boosting snack? On average, a 1/4-cup serving of trail mix has about 175 calories. Besides being good for you, it is simple to make. Just combine your favorite nuts and dried fruit and snack away! Nuts are a great source of protein making them a great hunger fighting, energy boosting snack. Dried fruit can be added as a natural sweetener and fibrous snack. For a little added crunch throw in some sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, pretzels, or granola.

The best thing about homemade trail mix is you can make it the way you like it! If you like a little sweet to go along with your salt add a scoop of M&M’s or a couple teaspoons of honey. And if you like it spicy, sprinkle some chili powder or Cajun seasoning to give it a little spunk!

Separate your homemade mixture into snack-size baggies and take it with you anywhere you go.